After they had eaten breakfast, what did Jesus ask Peter? What was his response?
What did Jesus ask Peter to feed?
What are the differences between the questions and answers in verses 15,16, and 17?
How does Jesus elaborate in verse 18?
What did that mean?
What was Jesus’ one command to Peter at the end of His questioning?
Who did Peter inquire about? What was his question about him?
What was Jesus’ exact response? What, again, did He want Peter to do?
Who does verse 24 say this disciple is?
Was the book of John a second- or thirdhand account?
Do the events in the book of John cover everything Jesus did? What is John’s reasoning?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Peter was singled out for Jesus’ question? Was there anything he needed to repent from?
Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
What is the significance of, “Feed my sheep?” Are we also called to feed His sheep? What does that mean to us?
Does God know the answer to all questions, even whether we love Him or not? Why does He ask Peter then? Why are we called to pray, when God knows our lives and hearts anyway?
Why was Peter grieved that Jesus had asked him this question so many times? Have you ever had a similar experience? What was the outcome?
Do you think Peter understood what Jesus was trying to tell him in verse 18? Do you think he was happy about that?
What is it about Jesus’ command in verse 19 that summarizes everything? Do you believe this is the answer to every problem, even your future, as Peter’s? Will following Christ change your situation, or are we called to follow Him despite our situation? What will ultimately be the result?
Why do you think Peter asked about the other disciple?
Did Jesus’ answer mean that he was going to be alive until He returned? What did His answer mean?
Why are John’s words trustworthy? Think about this writing, compared to other historical accounts which are often written down several centuries after they happened.
Do you believe them?
Why do you think the things that were recorded were recorded? Why not the many other things?

My prayer is:
That I would be able to answer Jesus’ question of, “Do you love me?” with a clear and affirmative “Yes, Lord;”
That I would have opportunity to feed His sheep;
And that I would follow Jesus wherever He leads me, throughout my life and in every situation, even if it leads to a death which would glorify Him, no matter what happens with those around me.

What are “these things” referred to in verse 1?
Who did Jesus show himself to? Where?
Name the disciples that were together there.
What did Peter tell the other disciples he was going to do? What did they want to do?
How much did they catch that night?
What time of day was it when Jesus arrived at the shore?
Did they recognize Him?
What did Jesus ask them? What was the answer?
What did Jesus ask them to do?
What was the result when they did this?
Who recognized Jesus first? Who went toward Him first?
How did Peter get to Jesus?
How did the other disciples get there?
What did they find on the shore?
Who dragged the net ashore? How many fish were in it? Was the net broken?
What did Jesus tell the disciples? Why didn’t they dare ask who He was?
What did Jesus do for the disciples?
How many times had Jesus appeared to the disciples?

Thought Questions

Why were the disciples together by the Sea of Galilee? (See Matt. 28:7, 10, 16) Why did they decide to go fishing?
Have you ever been through a discouraging time, where you felt like the disciples probably did, making no progress? How does the outcome of their situation give you faith? Did Jesus know that they hadn’t caught any fish? Why do you think He provided so much for them, almost more than they could handle?
What do verses 10 and 11 tell you about our cooperation with God? Do we have work to do with using His blessings as well? Is it hard work sometimes, even just to reel them in?
Read verse 7 and John 20:3-8. What are the differences between the two disciples? Which disciple are you most like? Was one better than the other, or was it just a difference in personality?
Where did the fire of coals come from? What happened by the last fire of coals that we saw in ch. 18:18, 25-27? What does this tell us about God and second chances?

My prayer is:
That I would not be discouraged when waiting for Jesus, knowing from this episode that He has many blessings waiting for us;
That I would be faithful in taking care of the blessings He has given me;
And that I would both recognize and immediately follow after the Lord whenever His presence appears in any situation in my life.

What day was it when the disciples were assembled?
Why were the doors shut?
Where did Jesus arrive?
What did He say? What did He show them?
How did the disciples feel about this?
Who did Jesus say sent Him? Who was Jesus sending?
What did He do after He said that? What did He have the disciples receive?
What commission did He give them along with that?
Which disciple was not with them at that time?
How did Thomas find out the news?
What did Thomas say the conditions were for him to believe?
How long was it before they assembled again?
What happened there?
What did Jesus say specifically to Thomas?
How did Thomas respond?
Who did Jesus say is blessed?
Why does John say that these things were written in this book?
What is the result of having faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God?

Thought Questions

Why were the disciples gathered together? What do you, and the members of your church, do during difficult times? Have there been times when you have found strength in fellowship with other believers?
Do you think the disciples were justified in shutting the doors? Did Jesus reprimand them for their fears, or try to strengthen their faith when He arrived? How?
How do you understand verse 23? If Jesus only has the power to forgive sins (Matt. 9:2-7), how can His disciples factor in? Can we, as modern-day disciples? Does Matt. 25:40 give you any ideas?
Much has been said about “Doubting Thomas.” Do you identify with Thomas at all? Or should Thomas have known better, after all he had witnessed and heard Jesus teach and prophecy? What would you, honestly, have thought?
Why do you think Jesus let eight days pass before He appeared to them again?
How do you feel about Jesus giving Thomas another chance and allowing him to touch His body and wounds? Have you had times in your life where you wavered in faith, but God gave you more evidence and another chance? Why do you think that was?
How can a person believe without seeing? Have you had a time in your life where you needed to exercise that kind of faith?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Has the study of John’s writing helped you strengthen that faith? How?

My prayer is:
That, when times are difficult and my faith starts to waver, I would find strength in fellowship with other believers;
That my faith would grow and develop so that I would not need to see everything to believe it, however, I would rejoice and give thanks when God does give me substantial evidence for my faith;
And that I would truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that I would have life in His name.

Who went to the tomb early on the first day of the week?
What did she see there?
How did she react? Who did she run to?
What did Mary think had happened?
Who of the two disciples got to the tomb first?
What did he see? How far did he go?
Where did Peter go?
How were the grave cloths arranged?
When the other disciple finally went into the tomb, how did he react?
What did they not yet understand from Scripture?
How was Mary feeling about all of this?
Who did Mary see? Where were they standing?
What question did they ask her? What was her answer?
Who did she see when she had said this? Did she know who He was?
What two questions did Jesus ask?
Who did Mary think He was? What did she tell him?
When Mary recognized Jesus, what did she call Him?
What did Jesus tell Mary not to do? What did He tell her to do?
What did she do?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Mary Magdalene was first at Jesus’ tomb? See Luke 7:47.
How would you have responded if you saw the tomb empty?
What do Peter and the other disciple’s actions when they arrived at the empty tomb tell you about them?
Who was the other disciple “who Jesus loved”? See John 21:20-24
Why do you think Jesus folded his grave cloths? Was He, the creator of the universe, an organized and tidy Person?
Is it likely that, if the tomb was empty as a result of grave robbery, the robbers would fold the cloths so nicely?
What did the other disciple (John) believe (verse 8), and why?
Why didn’t the disciples understand the concept of the Resurrection from the scriptures yet? Would things have been easier for them if they had understood? Are there things you don’t think you understand from the scriptures yet? Why not?
Why don’t you think Mary recognized the two angels or Jesus?
Do you think there are times when angels are around us, but we don’t recognize them? Why not? Have your eyes, and heart, ever been so filled with tears that you didn’t recognize the angels around you?
What do you think caused Mary to recognize Jesus? What could cause us to recognize Him?
What did Mary do after her encounter with Jesus? What does that tell us about witnessing to others?
Have you had an experience that, like Mary, caused you to want to immediately go and tell others how you have encountered Christ?

My prayer is:
That I would have faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
That I would be able to recognize those which God has placed around me to help me recognize and understand Him;
And that I, like Mary, would have a yearning to go back and tell others that I have found Him.

Who was carrying Jesus’ cross at this point?
Where did they go?
Who was crucified around Him? Where was Jesus put?
What was the title Pilate wrote on the cross?
How many people were able to read this sign? Why?
What did the chief priests want Pilate to write instead?
What was his response?
Who took Jesus’ clothes?
How many parts did they divide His pieces of clothing into?
Which item could they not divide? How did they solve the problem?
Which prophecy did this fulfill?
Which women were standing by the cross?
Which disciple was also standing by?
Which of the women did Jesus give to the disciple as a “son”?
What did the disciple do as a result?
What were the things that Jesus knew were happening at that time?
What did He say?
What did they find a vessel of nearby? What did they put it on to give to Him?
What did He say after that? What happened?
What day was it?
What was the law about bodies and the Sabbath?
What were they planning to do to make sure the people on crosses were dead?
Whose legs did they break? Whose did they not break? Why?
What did one of the soldiers do to Jesus instead? What happened?
What does John interject here? Why does he write this?
What two Scriptures were fulfilled at this time?
Who asked for Jesus’ body? Who did he ask?
Why was Joseph a disciple in secret?
Who else came to prepare Jesus’ body? What did he bring?
What was the method for preparation?
Where was Jesus’ tomb? Why did they take Him there?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Pilate wrote the title that he did? How do his thoughts compare to the chief priests of the Jews?
Read verse 20. Since so many people saw Jesus on the cross and read the title Pilate had written, try to imagine the people’s reaction when they saw Him. How about the people who had seen Him healing others, or even who had been healed by Him?
What was the purpose of the prophecy in verses 23-24 and its fulfillment? Would it be difficult to fulfill so specific of a prophecy without God’s intervention?
Was Jesus thoughtful and welcoming of women? Did He ever have a degrading word or action toward any woman? What does the presence of these women at the foot of His cross tell you about their relationship with Him?
How do you imagine Jesus treated His mother? What responsibility do we have toward our parents’ welfare?
How do verses 25-27 dispel the myth that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene?
Do you think the first part of verse 28 is related to the second?
Is there significance to the sour wine (vinegar)?
How do you think Jesus died? Was it from the abuse, the cross, or something else?
Again, the Jews were primarily concerned with their ways of keeping the Sabbath–in the situation described in verse 31, what does that tell you?
What do you think is the significance of the blood and water?
Read John’s interjection in verse 35. Do you think his testimony is valid? What is he trying to get across?
Are there instances where it is an advantage to be a disciple of Christ secretly, for fear of authorities? Do you think Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus would have been more or less effective if they had made public their belief in Jesus at that time?
Compare Nicodemus’ offering to Christ and Mary’s in ch. 12:3-8.

My prayer is:
That I would daily spend time looking up at the cross, reading in my mind the sign,”Jesus, King of the Jews,” and be convinced that Jesus is also my King, and that the pain He went through was for my sake.

What did Pilate do with Jesus?
What did the soldiers put on Him? What did they say and do to Him?
Why did Pilate bring Jesus out again?
How did Pilate announce Jesus?
What was the response of the priests and officers?
What did Pilate put on them? Why?
What must happen “according to their law?” Why?
Where did Pilate go in response to this? What did he ask Jesus?
How did Jesus respond? What did Pilate say?
Where did Jesus say Pilate got his power?
Who did Jesus say was guilty of the greater sin?
What did Pilate try to do? What was the response of the Jews?
Where did Pilate take Jesus next? When was it?
This time, how did Pilate announce Jesus? What was their response now?
Who was the only king, according to the chief priests?

Thought Questions

How do you think Pilate felt now? Did he have any conviction about who Jesus really was? How would you have decided in this position?
Did Pilate have enough evidence to be able to make the right decision? (See also Matt. 27:19)
Has there ever been a time when you had quite a bit of evidence a certain direction, but decided to go against it out of pride and do the opposite?
Did the Jews have any basis on which to make their accusation? See Leviticus 24:16. What part of Jesus’ life and ministry were they not taking into consideration? What part of their own Messianic prophecies were they not taking into consideration?
What side would you have taken if you had been there? What evidence would you have used to make this decision–the Levitical laws, or the testimony of the prophecies and Jesus’ own life?
If Pilate had made the right decision and released Jesus, what do you think would have happened to Jesus? What would have happened to Pilate? How much power does one decision have in our eternal destiny? Could Pilate have been saved if he had repented later?
Who was “the one who delivered” Jesus to Pilate? Why did he have the greater sin? Does God take into consideration how much knowledge we have when He judges us?
How is the Jews’ mention of Caesar as their king, especially in verse 15, ironic compared to how they historically had felt about being controlled by the Romans? What did the Jews believe at that time that their Messiah was going to do? What had almost everyone, including His own disciples, wanted Jesus to do?
What are your thoughts on loyalty to earthly kings (politics) vs. loyalty to God?
What led to Pilate’s ultimate decision to give Jesus up to be crucified? What can we learn from this to apply to our decisions?

My prayer is:
that I would be able to clearly regard the evidence presented when making a decision for Christ, discounting my own pride;
that Christ’s honor would take precedence over pride in my position or any earthly thing;
and that I would be able to honor Him in the face of opposition, even strong political opposition against the majority, if need be.

What was Pilate’s court called?
Why did they (the Jews) refuse to go into the place?
What did Pilate go out to ask them?
What was their response?
What did Pilate then tell them to do? What did they really want from him, that they weren’t allowed to do?
What saying of Jesus was fulfilled now?
What question did Pilate ask Jesus when he called Him in to the Praetorium?
What was Jesus’ response? What was Pilate’s response to Him?
Where did Jesus say His kingdom was not from? Did He say where it was from?
What reason did Jesus use to prove that His kingdom was not of this world?
Did Jesus testify that He is indeed a king?
For what reason did Jesus come into the world?
Who hears Jesus’ voice?
What question did Pilate ask?
Did Pilate find Jesus guilty?
What custom did the Jews have at Passover?
What did Pilate call Jesus?
Who did they want Pilate to release?
Who was Barabbas?

Thought Questions

Why was it that the crowd of Jews, who were leading an innocent Man to death, were unwilling to go into a Gentile building in case they might become too defiled to eat the Passover? What does the Passover represent? Are there any ways you might be guilty of the same spirit in your life?
Why did the Jews answer Pilate the way they did? Did they actually have any proof of wrongdoing?
How did Jesus’ answer to Pilate’s question (“are you the King of the Jews?”) show wisdom? Can you think of instances where we might use this answer to others who ask critical questions of us or our beliefs?
Think about Jesus’ second answer in this passage (verse 36). Where is Jesus’ kingdom? Why was this so difficult for the people around Him to grasp? What do the followers of most earthly potential kings do? What did Jesus’ disciples and other followers do when He was arrested? Does Peter’s ear episode count as much of a fight?
How would you define or label Jesus’ kingdom, after reading verse 37? Can we have a role in God’s government as well? Read Revelation 1:6.
In practical terms, how does a person hear Jesus’ voice–is there a prerequisite to being able to understand Him? How can we learn what the truth is?
Why do you think Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Do you think he really wanted to know? Do you see a glimmer of hope in Pilate’s life in verse 38? If someone asked you this question, would you be prepared to answer?
Why did the Jews want Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus?

My prayer is:
that I would hear and recognize Jesus’ voice, and understand what His kingdom is;
that I would defend Christ’s Kingdom with loyalty to the truth, and not with violence;
and that I would be able to give an answer when anyone asks the question, “What is truth?”

After Jesus had spoken these words, where did He go with His disciples?
What was there?
How did Judas know about this place?
When Judas arrived, who did he bring with him? What were they carrying?
What did Jesus ask them?
What was their reply? How did Jesus respond? What happened to the soldiers when He said that?
What happened next?
Whom did Jesus want the soldiers to let go? Why? Where had He said that previously?
Who had a sword? What did He do with it?
Whose ear got cut off? What was his name and position?
What was Jesus’ response? (Read Luke 22:51 to see what Jesus did.)
Who arrested Jesus?
Who did they take Him to first? Who was he?
What did Caiaphas advise the Jews?
Who followed Jesus?
Why was the other disciple able to get into the courtyard of the high priest?
Where did Peter stay first? Who did the other disciple talk to to get him inside?
Where was the servant girl? What did she ask Peter? What was his response?
What did the high priest ask Jesus about?
What was His response? Where had Jesus always spoken? Who did Jesus tell the high priest to ask?
What was the response of one of the nearby officers?
What did Jesus say in response to that accusation?
Where did they take Jesus off to next?
What happened while Peter was out by the fire warming himself?
Who was the third person to ask if Peter was seen with Jesus?
What happened immediately after that?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Jesus went out to this public garden at this time? Did He know they were going to arrest Him then? If you knew that, wouldn’t you rather be locked up in a safe place? What does this tell you about Jesus’ faith in His Father’s timing?
Why did the troops fall back to the ground? Why did they get back up again?
What does Peter’s actions in this chapter tell you about him? What was he like later? How does this encourage you in the ways Christ can work in our lives?
Think about what Caiaphas said in verse 14. Was it true? How do you think Caiaphas meant it?What was the irony there? Can God even use His enemies to speak truth (although maybe not in the ways they intend)?
Put yourself in Peter’s place–cold, sleep deprived, helpless over the arrest of his Teacher, unsure about what was going to happen with either Jesus or, by extension, his followers. How might you have reacted to the girl at the door?
Were the people Peter spoke with (whom he denied Jesus to) high authorities who were able to decide his fate? Do you think you would be able to muster courage around authorities when questioned about your beliefs? But how about common people with no authority over your fate–are you prepared enough to have answers for your faith even when asked at a time that you don’t expect it, or aren’t prepared?
Have you ever heard “the cock crow” in your life, metaphorically? That is, have you been reminded that you disobeyed Jesus? How did you react?

My prayer is:
that I would follow Jesus’ example in always being obedient to God’s will, even trusting Him with the risks involved;
and that I would learn from Peter’s history to be prepared to stand for Christ under any circumstance and not to deny Him.

Who else does Jesus pray for?
Who does Jesus compare their unity with? What would be the effect of their unity?
What has Jesus given them? Why?
How would the world know that the Father had sent the Son? Who would they know that the Father loves?
What else does Jesus pray for those believers (vs. 24)? Why?
Who has not known the Father? But who has known the Father?
What has Jesus declared? Why?

Thought Questions
Who is Jesus praying for in verse 20? What is the difference between them and the group He prayed for previously?
How are Jesus and the Father one? Is one more important or of higher authority than the other? Do they have exactly the same job or role? How can that help us understand our role in the church?
How can we get the world to believe that God sent Jesus as His Son?
How do we achieve this unity? What can we use to settle disputes, and what should be the basis of our unity? (See verse 17 for a hint.) Can you think of practical applications?
What should we do if the Word of God disagrees with our natural inclination?
Where is Jesus? Do you take that literally (in Heaven) or figuratively? Can we behold His glory here?
How can we know the Father? Where are some other places in John that describe how we can know the Father? (1:18 and 14:7-11, for example.)
How does verse 26 answer the question of how we can have God’s love within us?
What is God’s name–is it just a series of letters, or does it represent something else that we can declare? How can you connect this idea with Exodus 20:7?
List out and summarize the themes in this chapter that Jesus repeats several times in slightly different ways. Why is He so repetitive with these themes?
Obviously, this prayer of Jesus is very specific for a very specific occasion, but is there anything you can learn about prayer from this important chapter?

My prayer is:
that we, as Christians, may be one through belief in Your Word, just as you and the Father are one;
that we might behold the Father in His glory, through knowledge of the Son and through His Word;
and that the Father’s love would be in us to share with others, as well.

While Jesus was praying, where was He looking?
What did Jesus say to His Father?
Why did He want the Father to glorify Him?
For what purpose has the Father given the Son authority over all flesh?
What is eternal life?
How does Jesus expand on how He has glorified God on earth?
When did Jesus have the glory with His Father that He was asking to have again?
Who has Jesus manifested God’s name to? Who did they belong to? What did they keep? What did they know?
What words has Jesus given them? What did they know and believe?
Who was Jesus specifically praying for at that time?
Who is no longer in the world? Who is still in the world? What is Jesus asking for those who are still in the world? Why?
What did Jesus do with them while He was still in the world?
Who was the only one who was lost? How was this predicted?
Why does Jesus speak these things?
Who hated them who had His word? Why? Who else did they hate?
What does Jesus pray for, and what does He not pray for regarding them?
How are they to be sanctified?
What is truth?
Where does Jesus send them into?

Thought Questions
What do you think eternal life is? Does verse 3 match your natural idea of eternal life? Would anyone be interested in eternal life with God and His Son if they didn’t know them? What does that tell you about the importance of knowing and sharing the knowledge of God?
Read verse 4. Can we also glorify God by finishing the work He has given us to do?
Wouldn’t it be nice, toward the end of your life, to be able to say, “I have finished the work you have given me to do”? See also what Paul says in 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Is there anything you can do differently with your life today to prepare you to be able to say that?
Several times in this chapter and elsewhere, Jesus talks about those who the Father “has given him.” Is it totally God’s choice whether you are one of the saved, or is it your choice? Does verse 6 give you any help? Of the aspects listed there, which part is our choice?
Summarize verses 7-8. After hearing the evidence from Jesus, do you also believe that He came from God, as the disciples did?
Does Jesus ever mention His own glory without connection with the Father?
Who is the “son of perdition?” Find Scriptures that foretell this betrayal. Do you think that it was destined that Jesus’ friend would betray Him because it was necessary for the Scriptures, or that history (and prophecy) would have been written differently if he had made another choice?
How can we have joy, according to verse 13? Reflect on how Christ’s words for us can fulfill our joy. Do reading these things help strengthen your faith that Jesus has kept His promises, and therefore will continue to do so?
Has there been times in history where the world hated those with Christ’s word? Does the world hate you? If it doesn’t, why do you think that is? Do you think it ever could?
How can a person be in the world, yet be kept from the evil one?
What is truth? How can we answer when someone asks that question? Is God’s Word really truth in your life, or are you not sure? Besides this verse, how do you know?
What does it mean to sanctify a person? How can God sanctify us through His Word?
What is our job in the world, in the place where Jesus has sent us?

My prayer is:
that Christ would help me to do His work and glorify Him;
that my joy would come from His Word;
and that I would be in the world but not of the world, and that God would strengthen me when the world hates me as it did Him.